1988 25c Christmas

U.S. #2399-2400
1988 25¢ Christmas FDC

Issue Date: October 20, 1988
City: Washington, DC

Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Perforations: 11 ½
Color: Multicolored

The First Day Cover features both the Traditional and Contemporary Christmas stamps issued in 1988.

Responding to complaints over the definitive-sized Christmas stamps issued in 1986 and 1987, the USPS issued the 1988 Christmas stamps in a new size, approximately 50% larger than the previous issues.

The Traditional Christmas stamp features the Madonna and Child painting by Botticelli, which is part of the National Gallery of Art Collection.

With the "White Christmas" theme of this Contemporary Christmas stamp, the USPS attempted to honor a living person - songwriter Irving Berlin.  Berlin turned 100 years old on May 11, 1988.